Lamp-socket.



No, Ganzes.

Patented Aug. 27, 190|.

D. A. SCHUTT. LAMP SOCKET. (Application ld July 11, 1900.)

` DUNY A. scuurr, on PERU, INDIANA.

LAM P- sooKET- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,268,dated August 27, 1901.

Application filed July l lJ 1 900.

` To all whom t may concern.:

Beit knownthat I, DUNY A. SOHUTT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peru, in the county of Miami and State of Indiana, haveinvented eertainmew and useful Improvements in Lamp-Sockets, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being hadto the accompanyingdrawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to sockets for incandescent lamps eitherkey orkeyless; and it consistsof the novel construction, arrangement, andoperation of the various parts, `as I shallnow proceed to describe.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a socket which willbe in itself a perfect insulation, with all working parts so arrangedthat the regulation requirements `in break distance are complied withandthe working parts and mechanism are so arranged that it will open orclose circuit quickly,while `still having in all parts the requiredmetallic bodies to give the best results on higher voltage.

A further object of the invention is to incorporate the base memberswith the cap and shellina simple and efficient manner, by which`short-circuiting through these parts is prevented, `while the cap isalso provided with an internal fiber washer or cap lining by which theentire `upper cavity in which the terminal connections are made isthoroughly protected and insulated fromthe cap.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved socket. Fig. 2 is a planview of the top of the'upper portion of the socket, the cap beingremoved. Fig. `3 is a vertical section` through the upper and lowerportions of the socket assembled,indicated by the line III III of Fig.-2, the case being removed. Fig. 4. is a plan View of the lower portionof the socket,

l the partition-line being indicated at IV IV of Fig. 3.

y;` Fig.` 5 is a `vert-ical section taken `through the entire socket onthe line V V of Fig. 1. Fig. t5 is' a perspective detail view of theoutside connecting-ring with metallic conductor; Fig. 7 is a detailperspective view showingthe key, yoke, tumbler-spring,

land. center contact-post assembled. Fig. 8

is a `detail, perspective View of the upper contact-spring detached.Fig. 9 shows in per- `spective three views of the tumbler deline beingindicated at XII XII.

plan view of the top of the upper portion of Serial No. 28,218. (Nomodel.)

tached. Fig. IO is a side elevation of the ke)T detached, showing amodified construction. Fig. ll is a vertical section similar to Fig. 5,lbut-illustrating certain modifications in construction. Fig. 12 is aplan view of the lower portion of the socket of Fig. ll, the partition-Fig. 13 is a the socket of Fig. 11, the case being removed. Fig. lll isan under plan view of the upper portion of 4the socket of Fig. ll. Fig.l5 is a detail perspective View of the fiber lining of the cap, showinghow the same is fastened to the cap. Fig. 16 is a sectional detail viewthrough a portion of each member of the socket-base at the side, showingthe manner in which the shell and cap are held together and to the basemembers. Fig. 17 is a perspective detail view of the retaining piece ornut inserted in the slotted openings in the socket members and by whichthe telescoping Vends of the inclosing cap and shell are held togetherand to the socket members. Fig. 18 is a perspective detail view of theterminal members and the contacting devices.

Referring now to the drawings, the body portion ci the socket iscomposed of upper and lower base members 2 3, of porcelain or othersuitable insulating material, held together' with screws t 4, passingthrough both members tapping into the outside connectingring 5 andholding it in position. This ring is connected with anupwardly-projecting terminal branch 6, which passes through both membersot' the socket, and tothe top of which by screw 7 one of the terminalwires 8 is connected. The other terminal wire 9 is connected in asimilar mannerto an arm of contact spring or piece l0, which spring isheld in the under side of the upper base member 2 by screw 1l. It willbe noted that both of these terminal members,to which the hot wires areconnected, are of good size, givingfull contact and that they arelocated remotely from each other and deep down in the porcelain, therebyobviating any danger of short circuit from strands in lamp-cord, dac.The center contact-post I2 is made of a square bar, the upper end ofwhich tits into a corresponding socket in the under side of theporcelain, while the projecting portion is turned down and threaded orleft plain, as desired, for in- IOO , suring a turning action, or, as inFig. 10, I

sertion in the lamp-base. This post is drilled i centrally, and a screw13 passes up through the post, porcelain, and into the spring 14 or intoa yoke 15, which by the screw is clamped tightly down against the spring14, by either of which means electrical connection is established withthe post 12. The spring is turned around over itself and forms a goodbearing for the whole face of the tumbler 1G, mounted on the key-stem17. The stem, which is of the usual construction,is mounted in bearings18, formed in the meet-ing faces of the base members 2 3, which bearingsare made sufficiently accurate to maintain the stem in alineinentindependent of any auxiliary bearings; but in case it is desired thesides of the yoke 15 may be provided with elongated slots, which willpermit of a degree of automatic adjustment when the tumbler is turned.

l prefer the construction shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 18, for the reasonthat it is simpler, the break distance is increased, and it is morereliable in operation and avoids the danger of short circuits.

The stem is provided with a thumb-piece 18, and connection with thetumbler may be made by a pin 19, passing through the stem between thesides 20 of thetumbler, thus inhave shown a modified construction of thekey-siem, which affords a good connection with the tumbler and is acheap, strong, and durable arrangement. In this form the stem is stampedor pressed, so as to form two ears or small lugs 21 on the sides,forming in effect flanges projecting from the sides of the stem, adaptedto enter the space lbetween the sides 20 of the tumbler and to engage itin the manner of the pin already described. As thus constructed it willbe seen that contact will be made with spring 10 by turning the stem,when the flat ends of the tumbler will come into contact with the flatsprings 10 and 14, establishing a good electrical Contact and restingfirmly in position, either in a make or break position. It will be seenalso that the stem 17 is entirely surrounded and inclosed by theinsulating material of the socket-bases, upper and lower, so that anydanger of short circuit with the outer shell or any other metallicsubstance, apt to occur in sockets where the working parts are open, isprevented. It is to be noted that the insulated thumb-piece 18 projectsinto the sides of the base, thus further protecting the'stem fromcontact.

The outer shell is attached together and to the base-cap by screws 22,which pass through slotted bayonet-jointed openings 23 in the cap andshell and are tapped into elongated dat retaining-nuts 24, which arefitted into sockets 25 in the lower and upper base members, the socketin the upper base being provided with a slotted opening 26 for passageof the screw 22. Good results may be had by making the socket and slotin the upper base only, and it will be seen that as thus constructed thescrew and nut form a T-shaped holdinganchor which has a firmholding-bearing in the corresponding T-shaped socket in the base member.In this manner these metallic holding devices are situated remote fromthe interior working parts. in the insulating-base and provide a strong,reliable, and simple means for connecting the parts together. Byloosening the screw the cap and shell may be removed, while the screwand its nut are retained in position against accidental dislodgment orloss, and this feature will be found to be of great advantage and valuein devices of this class, as it entirely avoids the necessity ofsupplemental insulating mediums, as inner linings, tbc. Vhere the shellembraces the base of the lamp, I insert a fiber lining 20, whicheffectuallyinsulates the metal sheet from the base, the lining fittingnp around the socket-base and conforming to the internal retaininggrooveof the shell in the manner shown. A further protection is provided inthe upper cavity by means of a fiber cap-lining 27, fitted up around theunder surface of the cap and securely held in place by means of tongues28 of ring 29, which tongues are passed through the fiber lining andturned up against it, thus securely holding it in position. The ring 29is firmly incorporated in the inner side of the socket, as clearly shownin Figs. 5 and 11.

The advantage of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art. All danger of short-circuiting is prevented by reason of all ofthe metal working parts being entirely inclosed in the interior of theinsulating-bases, which are hollowed out to provide for their locationand operation. The terminals are so constructed as to give goodcontact-surface. They are remote from each other and are embedded deeplyin the porcelain. The faces of the tumbler and of the contactsprings arebroad and fiat, insuring good contact, while the center post is firmlyembedded in the lower side of the base and strongly united to thespring, so as to insure the best possible mechanical and electricalresults.

The manner of connecting the base members with the cap and shell and ofthe fiber lining with the interior face of the cap is a new and usefulfeature of my invention, whichwill be appreciated, While the internalber lining of the shell insures against short circuits at the base ofthe lamp.

The device is very simple, cheap, and easy to construct and very durableand efficient in operation and has many features of superiority over thegeneral class of lamp-sockets now in use which will commend it to theusers of this class of goods.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a lamp-socket, thecombination of upper and lower base members of insulating material, acontacting ring on the lower base, provided with a current-terminalembedded in the bases, a threaded center post having a base inserted inthe lower side of the lower They are embedded IIO base, aconnecting-screw passing centrally through the center post and base intoa contact-spring, `a contact-spring so connected and in electricalconnection with the screw, an upper contact provided with aconnectingterminal embedded in the upper base, and a turning stem `andtumbler' mounted in bearing-recesses formed in the meeting faces of thebase members and adapted to establish electrical communication betweenthe upper terminal and the contact-spring, substantially as set forth.

2. In a lamp-socket, the combination of upu, per and lower base membersof insulating material, a contacting ring on the lower base providedwith a current-terminal embedded in the bases, a threaded center posthaving a base inserted in the lower side of the lower base, a`connecting-screw passing centrally through. the center post and baseinto a contact-spring, a contact-spring so connected and in electricalconnection with the screw, an upper contact provided with aconnectingterminal embedded in the upper base, a turning stem andtumbler mounted in bearing-recesses formed in the meeting faces of thebase members and adapted to establish electrical communication betweenthe upper terminal `and the contact-spring, and connecting-screwspassing through both base members into the Vcontactingring and holdingthe parts together,

substantially as set forth.

3. In a lamp-socket, the combination of a h basemember of insulatingmaterial, a threaded center post having a base inserted in the lowerside of the base member, a screw passing centrally through the centerpost and base into a contact-spring, and a contact-spring so connectedand in electrical connection with the screw, and a iiat contact-springbowed over and forming a fiat elastic contact-face for a rotatabletumbler, substantially as set forth.

provided with sockets having screw-slots and 4. Ina lamp-socket providedwith one or more base members of insulating material sockets on thesides having lateral screwslots of less width, a lower base member ofinsulating material, surrounding overlapping shells provided withbayonet-joint openings,

Iiat retaining-nuts mounted in the sockets,

`and securing-screws passing through the shells and slots and tappedinto the retaining-nuts, substantially as set forth.

6. In a 1amp-socket,.the combination of an upper base member, ofinsulating material provided` with oppositely-disposed vertical` socketsin the sides having lateral screwslots of less width, a lower basemember of insulating lnaterialprovided with correspondingoppositely-disposed closed vertical sockets adapted to form extensionsofthe upper sockets, surrounding overlapping shells provided withbayonet-joint openings, flat retainingnuts mounted in the sockets, andsecuringscrews passing through the shells and slot and tapped into theretaining-nuts, substantially as set forth.

7 In a lamp-socket, the combination of upper and lower base members ofinsulating material, a contacting ring on the lower base provided With acurrent-terminal embedded in the bases, afthreaded center post having asquare base inserted in the lower side of the lower base, aconnecting-screw.passing centrally through the center post and baseintoa contact-spring, a contact-spring so connected and in electricalconnection with the screw, an upper contact provided with aconnecting-terminal embedded in the upper base, a turning stem andtumbler mounted in bearing-recesses formed in the meeting faces of thebase members and adapted to establish electrical communication betweenthe upper terminal and the contact-spring, surrounding upper and loweroverlappingv shells, holding devices for the shells consisting ofelongated flat retaining-nuts adapted to be inserted in sockets in thebase members, and screws passing through bayonet-joint openings in thoshells and tapped into the retaining-nuts,sub

4stantially as set forth.

8. In a lamp-socket, the combination of upper and lower base members ofinsulating material, a contacting ring on the lower base provided with acurrent-terminal, embedded in the bases, a threaded center post having asquare base inserted in the lower side of the lower base, aconnecting-screw passing centrally through the center post and base intoa contact-spring, a contact-spring so connected and in electricalconnection with the screw, an upper contact provided with aconnecting-terminal embedded in the upper base, a turning stem andtumbler mounted in bearing-recesses formed in the meeting faces of thebase members and adapted to establish electrical communication betweenthe upper terminal and the contact-spring, surrounding upper and loweroverlapping shells, an internal insulating-lining for the upper shellconsisting of a cap-shaped disk of ber conforming to the inner surfaceof the shell and rheld therein, by retaining-lugs passing through thefiber and bent over, holding devices for the shell consisting ofelongated fiat retaining-nuts adapted to be inserted in sockets in thebase members, and screws passing through bayonet-joint openingsin theshells and tapped in to the retaining-nuts, substantially as set forth.

roo

IIO

9. In a lamp-socket, the combination of upl :per and lower base membersof insulating material, a contacting ring 0n the lower base providedwith a current-terminal embedded in the bases, a threaded center posthaving a square base inserted in the lower side of the lower base, aconnecting-screw passing cen-v trally through the center post and baseinto a contact-spring, a contact-spring so connected and in electricalconnection with the screw, an upper contact provided with aconnecting-terminal embedded in the upper base, a turning stem andtumbler mounted in bearing-recesses formed in the meeting faces of thebase members, and adapted to establish electrical communication betweenthe upper terminal and the contact-spring, surrounding upper and loweroverlapping shells, an internal insulating-lining for the upper shellconsisting of a cap-shaped disk of ber conforming to the inner surfaceof the shell 2o and held therein, by retaining-lugs passing through thefiber and bent over, an inner lining for the lower shell of insulatingmaterial, holding devices for the shell consisting of elongated atretaining-nuts adapted to' be inserted in sockets in the base members,and screws passing through bayonet-joint openings in the shells andtapped into retaining-nuts, substantially as set forth.

10. In a lamp-socket of the class described, an internalinsulating-lining for the cap consisting of a cap-shaped disk of fiberconforming to the inner surface of the cap and holding-lugs passingthrough the ber and bent over, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DUNY A. SCHUTT.

Witnesses:

WM'. B. MCCLINTIO, A. LEHMAN.

